That was why it was a surprise for Elizabeth to come to Darcy’s study. Nonetheless she appeared, creeping in with a nervous knock and standing awkwardly beside the door.
At once, Darcy’s documents were forgotten. Elizabeth was dressed in a soft blue gown. Her hair was caught up in simplecurls, and the necklace he had given her gleamed around her throat. Why hadn’t he noticed that she still wore her necklace? She used to fiddle with it when they were together, especially when she tried to hide her blushes. Darcy had thought that she would have taken it off, since they were not on speaking terms, but now that he thought about it, he could not remember seeing her wearing anything else.
Darcy stood up, smiling. He had only taken two steps towards the shadowed door before he realised that she was crying. His sweet angel was shivering, and her eyes shone.
Darcy darted forward and took her hands. “Elizabeth, what is the matter? Sit down.”
The fire was burning brightly. Elizabeth walked with numb sleepwalker’s steps and sat down. Her hands were icy. A piece of paper was clutched so tightly in one that her knuckles were trembling. Darcy gently eased it from her grasp, unfolding it, but waited for Elizabeth’s feeble nod before he read it.
A few sentences were enough to explain Elizabeth’s tears. They made Darcy’s stomach churn. He read the letter three times, gritting his teeth. Curse the damnably persistent Collins and curse his greedy minion! He could not think of a single woman who disgusted him more than Mrs. Bennet.
“Mama is right.” Elizabeth choked, interrupting his furious thoughts, “She got what she wanted from you. Now she can do as she pleases.”
“I detect Collins’s hand in this. As Jane says, he is a slippery man. My aunt always said he was a conniving creature. It amused her, but it does not amuseme.I thought he would be too much in awe of her to cross me this way.”
“We insulted him. Mr. Collins is a proud man, and not one to suffer such an injury to his pride.”
Darcy groaned and rubbed his temples. “Why does your father not intervene? He, at least, is an honourable man.”
Elizabeth swallowed hard and lowered her voice, as if she was sharing a disgraceful secret.
“In truth, my father has become more concerned with his estate than with the happiness of his daughters. He is unwell, sir. Not dangerously so, but enough to make him afraid for the future. He made little provision for us, and now his whole family is like to be cast out of his home. Jane’s marriage would have kept Longbourn in the family. It is not my father’s name, of course, but at least the lineage…”
“I see.” Darcy interrupted. He had seen plenty of proud families making similar matches. The words they used were always the same: safety, security, blood…
He could not see Mr. Bennet turning away from the same path, now that he was on it. From what Elizabeth had told him, her father had been trapped into an unhappy marriage himself. A future where his daughters were married would satisfy him; he believed that felicity was not required. After all, had he not allowed Elizabeth to marry for convenience?
“I am sorry that you married me for nothing.” Elizabeth whispered, once more reading his thoughts. Her tears began anew. Darcy wrapped his arms around her at once, drawing her head against his shoulder.
I did not marry you for nothing. I loved you, even then.He thought, but he could not say it. Not now, when she might think he was lying to comfort her. So instead, he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead in tender silence.
When Elizabeth was a little calmer, Darcy eased her away and held her shoulders so that he could look seriously into her eyes.
“When did this letter arrive, Elizabeth?”
“This morning.” she sniffed, “Jane dated it on Friday past.”
“Good, then we still have time.”
Elizabeth looked at him, tearfully bewildered, “Time for what?”
“We shall get your sister away from Longbourn at once. Mr. Collins cannot propose if she is not there.”
She shook her head helplessly, “Mama will not allow it. She has her heart set against us. She will not listen to anything we suggest. Besides, Mr. Collins may arrive before we do. It seems that Jane has resigned herself to accepting his offer, which he will doubtless make without delay. We will be too late.”
“The letter took four days on the post, yes, but we can send a much faster reply. I shall write to Bingley.”
“Bingley? Your friend from Netherfield Park?”
“The very same. He has two sisters who are very good at getting their own way. He must convince them that they want Jane’s company above all things - if he does, then they are sure to get it. They can pretend a deep attachment to her, and then the Bingleys can bring her to us. I will warn you, though, that they are not pleasant company. Your sister may find her patience sorely tested.”
Lizzie shook her head again. “Mama will never agree. She is days away from securing a proposal, and she knows it. Why would she let Jane leave?”
“Days mean nothing if your sister does not agree. Until she accepts Mr. Collins’ offer, there is nothing your mother cando. Jane is of age and can make her own decisions. She is only faltering because she feels she must obey. Your mother’s complacency is because she believes that Jane is on the point of surrender. You must write to your sister without delay.”
“What good will one more letter do? She has been fighting this for so long. I cannot urge her to keep going.”
“No. You must tell her toaccept.” Darcy caught Lizzie’s cheek, stroking it soothingly when she let out a strangled cry. “Trust me, Elizabeth. Once she is away from your mother, we can be less duplicitous, but for now it is vital that we raise your mother’s hopes. Jane must tell Mrs. Bennet that she accepts Mr. Collinson the conditionthat she can visit with her friends and family once more. Once your sister is out of your mother’s reach, we can protect her. Will your mother believe her?”
